From Karst Wonders to Rural Heritage: Overseas Influencers Discover the Many Sides of Wulong

On August 18, the overseas influencers on the Cool Chongqing Tour reached one of the highlights of their Wulong itinerary.

If the previous day focused on natural wonders in the mountains and underground, this day took them from world-class karst landscapes to the cool alpine scenery of the “Switzerland of the East,” and then into a rural setting recognized by UN Tourism as a Best Tourism Village.

Along the way, they experienced Wulong’s gentler and more vibrant side through traditional crafts, local cuisine and music.

Three Natural Bridges: Dramatic Landscapes and Playful Moments

At 9 a.m., the influencers arrived at the Three Natural Bridges Scenic Area.

As a core area of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and home to the world’s largest cluster of natural stone bridges, the scenic area features three natural bridges, each rising more than 200 meters above the valley floor, within a span of just one kilometer.

Sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls and towering stone bridges come together to create a dramatic natural landscape.

The site has also attracted major film productions. Zhang Yimou filmed scenes for *Curse of the Golden Flower* here in 2006, while Transformers: Age of Extinction filmed scenes at the location in 2013.

Walking along the valley floor and looking up at the towering cliffs, the influencers were impressed by the scale of the landscape.

“I’ve never seen anything like this — I can’t believe it was formed naturally,” said Hendra, an influencer from Indonesia.

The atmosphere soon became more playful when the group spotted local sedan-chair carriers. Several influencers decided to try their hand at being carriers themselves, lifting the chairs and walking a short distance with mock seriousness.

The unexpected role reversal amused nearby visitors and gave the influencers a more personal connection with the destination.

Fairy Mountain: A Cool Alpine Escape at 21°C

In the afternoon, the convoy entered Fairy Mountain National Forest Park.

With 330,000 mu of forest and 100,000 mu of alpine meadows, the landscape stretches across the mountains at an average summer temperature of around 21°C.

The cool weather and open grasslands offered a refreshing change from the heat of summer.

The little red train wound its way along the undulating scenic road, creating a scene reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli summer. The influencers quickly pulled out their phones to capture the scenery.

On the wave-shaped ecological road, the group also experienced the SERES AITO M9, a representative model of Chongqing’s smart-manufacturing sector.

The vehicle’s intelligent driving functions, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and smooth lane changes, were demonstrated along the winding road. Voice controls for the windows and air conditioning, as well as the massage seats, also caught the influencers’ attention.

“This car feels like a thinking mobile space — Chongqing’s automotive industry is truly impressive,” said Jayson, an influencer from Australia.

On the vast Fairy Mountain grassland, a group of sheep soon wandered over to the visitors, seemingly curious about the newcomers.

Michele, an influencer from Italy, crouched down to interact with them and joked, “A social butterfly meets the sheep version of one!”

Rural Charms: Traditional Indigo Dyeing and Hotpot

In the evening, the influencers arrived at Guiyuan Town in Jingzhu Village, recognized by UN Tourism as a Best Tourism Village.

At Guiyuan Teahouse, they tried traditional indigo dyeing, folding and twisting white scarves before dipping them into the dye. As the fabric was unfolded, different patterns gradually emerged.

Some designs were delicate and intricate, while others were playful and colorful. Each influencer took home a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

After the workshop, the group gathered for a musical hotpot dinner, combining local food with live entertainment.

Copper pots bubbled with spicy broth, with Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies simmering in beef tallow. Long tables brought everyone together as bowls and chopsticks filled the evening with a lively atmosphere.

The combination of numbing Sichuan peppercorns, spicy broth and local ingredients offered the influencers a taste of the bold and straightforward flavors characteristic of the mountain cuisine of Southwest China.

From the dramatic karst landscapes of Three Natural Bridges to the cool alpine meadows of Fairy Mountain, and from traditional crafts to music and hotpot in Jingzhu Village, Wulong offered the overseas influencers a glimpse of its many different sides.

By Daniel Yang and Intern Cui Yuning